Veteran Actor Rakesh Pandey Dies At 77 Due To Cardiac Arrest

Renowned Bhojpuri and Hindi film actor Rakesh Pandey passed away on March 21. The actor breathed his last at Arogya Nidhi Hospital in Juhu, Mumbai.

The 77-year-old actor, who was admitted to the ICU, passed away in his sleep due to cardiac arrest. 

Source : Special Arrangement

Renowned Bhojpuri and Hindi film actor Rakesh Pandey passed away on March 21. The actor breathed his last at Arogya Nidhi Hospital in Juhu, Mumbai. The 77-year-old actor, who was admitted to the ICU, passed away in his sleep due to cardiac arrest. 

Rakesh Pandey's death

His daughter, Jasmeet Pandey, confirmed the news to ABP News, sharing that her father experienced chest pain and discomfort late at night, around 3:00 AM on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday. He was immediately rushed to Arogya Nidhi Hospital for medical attention. However, his condition did not improve, and he passed away peacefully in his sleep at 8:51 AM on Friday. 

He is survived by his wife, daughter Jasmeet, and his granddaughter. His final rites were held at Shastri Nagar crematorium, where family members and close friends gathered to pay their last respects.

About Rakesh Pandey

Rakesh Pandey’s cinematic journey began with a debut in Basu Chatterjee’s 1969 classic 'Sara Akash', a film that not only introduced him as a promising talent but also earned him the prestigious President’s Award. A trained actor from the renowned Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune, Pandey also honed his craft at the Bhartendu Academy of Dramatic Arts.  

Over the years, Pandey transitioned between mainstream and regional cinema. In Hindi films, he was recognised for his impactful roles in 'Mera Rakshak', 'Yehi Hai Zindagi', 'Woh Main Nahin', 'Do Raha', and 'Eeshwar'. His work in Bhojpuri films, particularly in Balam Pardesiya and Bhaiya Dooj, further solidified his reputation as a versatile performer. Later in his career, he appeared in acclaimed Bollywood productions such as 'Devdas' (2002), 'Dil Chahta Hai' (2001), 'Lakshya' (2004), and 'Black' (2005), proving his adaptability across genres and eras. 

Beyond cinema, Pandey was also a familiar face on television. He played pivotal roles in popular serials like Chotti Bahu, Dehleez, and the acclaimed historical drama Bharat Ek Khoj (1988). After taking a hiatus from acting for more than two decades, he made a comeback in 2017 with Kapil Sharma’s Firangi. He also featured in projects like Hurdang (2022) and the web series The Lawyers Show.